Carl Icahn calls for Amylin chairman to resign over Byetta strategy

USA-based Amylin Pharmaceuticals' chairman, Joseph Cook, should resign over the failure of the diabetes drug Byetta (exenatide),  according to a letter from billionaire investor Carl Icahn. Mr Icahn  accuses the chairman of instigating a "flawed strategy" for the drug and  presiding over a period in the company's history that has seen losses in  shareholder value. The move follows the resignation of founding board  member Howard Greene, who cited similar issues with the firm's strategy.  Mr Icahn is calling for a new roster on the board - including former  ImClone chairman Alex Denner - maintaining that his candidates would  renegotiate the firm's Byetta deal with Eli Lilly to grant Amylin both  royalties and a co-promotion option.